Announcements

Samantha Makes It a Little Easier, or SMILE, is a nonprofit founded in memory of the Executive Director Dr. Kristen Mantlo’s sister Samantha—an artist, pole vaulter, and pediatric cancer patient. As part of her treatment, she became an above-the-knee amputee and wanted to be able to return to pole vaulting. In order to do so, she needed a prosthetic that was costly. Friends and family fundraised to help purchase, but she was never able to receive it. When she learned treatment wasn’t working, she asked that they use the funds to help other children like her. SMILE was founded in her memory to honor her request. Their SMILE Kids Program provides children impacted by a life-threatening condition with assistive and adaptive technology and equipment to enhance their quality of life. If you’d like to know more about changing a child’s life, you can go to smileasier.org.

The Get Better Crozet Community Health Fair aims to directly connect people in our community with services and organizations that can help make a positive difference in their lives.

They invite you to join us for this volunteer-led event on Saturday, September 14th from 10:30AM-4:30PM under the covered pavilions at Claudius Crozet Park.

Health care providers will be offering health screenings and there will be giveaways of useful items for health and safety, touch-a-truck displays for kids, health information and advice for citizens of all ages, voter registration, and more.

Every day, Special Olympics is working to build an inclusive world – a world that celebrates ALL abilities. But they can’t do it without volunteers.

Across Virginia, they are in need of sports officials, event organizers, fundraisers, fans – and especially coaches. Was there a mentor, teacher or coach who made a difference in your life? Someone who gave you the courage and determination to do your best? You can be that person for a Special Olympics athlete.

More information is online at specialolympicsva.com.

First Step: A Response to Domestic Violence is a nonprofit in Harrisonburg that empowers survivors to break the cycle of violence and abuse in their lives.

They’re hosting a fall fundraiser called the Glamp Out for First Step at White Oak Lavender Farm near Harrisonburg.

This is a casual evening of music and food, with an opportunity to support the mission of First Step and participate in both a live and silent auction.  

Proceeds go toward supporting the work of First Step in providing critical services to those experiencing abuse, and in building hope and healing, while celebrating the strength and resilience of survivors.

More information is online at firststepva.com/glampout.

Adagio House is a nonprofit in Harrisonburg that is reimagining care for caregivers and their loved ones living with disabilities.

They’re hosting their second annual fundraising event, The Great Valley Baking Challenge on Sunday, September 22nd at 2pm at Bluestone Vineyard to support their Compassion Fund and Community Services.

Adagio House invites you to come and enjoy chocolate desserts from local baking teams, charcuterie from Dayton Catering, Bluestone wine, and more!

More information is online at adagiohouse.org

Adagio House is a proud financial supporter of WNRN.

The coalition to Celebrate Democracy, a group of non-profit organizations who celebrate and promote our democracy, is hosting their third annual Democracy Day celebration on Saturday, September 14th from Noon to 3 pm at Market Street Park in Downtown Charlottesville.

They invite you to gather with your family and friends at the Park to celebrate 248 years of freedom and liberties that we cherish. Democracy Day is part of the International Day of Democracy sponsored and celebrated by the United Nations around the world.

They will have notable speakers, local officials, musicians and exhibits from sponsor groups.

Charlottesville VegFest welcomes you to join them on Sunday, September 15th from noon-6PM at IX Art Park in downtown Charlottesville.

This year, they’ll have close to 40 vendors — including a variety of vegan cuisines — speakers, live performances, cooking demos, yoga, and more family-friendly events for kids and adults alike. 

This event is open to the public. You can find more information online at veganrootsfest.org or by emailing events@botanicalfare.com

Anicira Veterinary Center located in Harrisonburg is a nonprofit veterinary hospital providing accessible and affordable care. 

They welcome you to join them in celebrating the pets in your life at Anicira’s Celebration of Pets Festival on Saturday, September 14th from 11am to 4pm on a farm in McGaheysville, near Massanutten Resort, just 15 minutes east of Harrisonburg.

The event will feature walking trails, dog field games, live music, raffle prizes, food trucks, beer, wine, pup cups, and family-friendly activities.

All proceeds from this festival will support Anicira’s lifesaving programs for cats and dogs, making a positive impact on the lives of animals in need and the families who love them.

The Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary’s mission is to help wild animals and their habitats thrive through a harmony of wildlife rehabilitation, public education, and community collaboration. They serve Central Virginia’s wild animals and humans, treating wildlife in need at their modern facility in Nelson County.

This year marks Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary’s 20th anniversary as a nonprofit organization, and they’ve helped over 10,000 wild animals since their founding in 2004.

Cat Action Team is an all-volunteer non-profit based in Charlottesville. They believe that every cat has a right to a pain-free life with sufficient food, shelter, and medical care. They work to improve the quality of life for feral and community cats in Albemarle and 12 other counties in central Virginia. Cat Action Team sponsors a trap-neuter-vaccinate-return program, colony-maintenance and pet-retention, foster and adoption, and ongoing community education.